WCU COVID-19 Masking Policy

Per President Fiorentino's 8/2/21 email, the policy below is effective immediately and applies to all WCU students, staff, faculty, and visitors to campus. This includes guests attending orientation programs.

We’ve learned a lot from the pandemic, including that mask wearing is an effective tool to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses. Continuing our commitment to maintaining the safety of our community during this global health event, all individuals entering a University facility are required to wear a mask where social distancing is not possible. This practice will stand regardless of one’s vaccination status. 

Based on updated guidance, WCU has implemented other protocols as we return to on-campus instruction, in-person events, and residential living in student housing:

  • Mask wearing is not required in outdoor spaces throughout campus. All students, faculty, and staff who choose to wear masks outdoors, however, are welcome to do so.
     
  • Masks covering the nose and mouth are required of all individuals within spaces where three (3) feet of social distancing is not possible regardless of vaccination status. This means masks are required in all indoor classrooms and/or instructional spaces as well as when traveling between classes and within common areas of a University building.
     
  • For those who are fully vaccinated, mask wearing is no longer required in some indoor spaces, such as private offices and when (3) feet of social distancing is possible. Fully vaccinated means it has been two (2) weeks after receiving the second dose of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two (2) weeks after a single dose of the J&J vaccine.
     
  • Faculty or staff wearing a mask during meetings with students in closed indoor spaces may request students to don a mask during office meetings or counseling sessions.
     

At any time, all faculty, staff, and students are welcome to wear a mask on campus regardless of vaccination status.

The suggested preventative actions provided above align with specific recommendations made by the CDC, governor of Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania’s Department of Health to mitigate the impact of the Delta variants. 


COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS FOR ON-CAMPUS ORIENTATION PROGRAMS

To keep your fellow Rams and the orientation staff safe, do not come to campus if you have been:

  • In close contact with someone who has had COVID-19 within the last 14 days.  You have been in close contact if you have:
    • been within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a combined total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period or
    • provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19 or
    • had direct physical contact (hugged or kissed) with someone who has COVID-19 or
    • shared eating or drinking utensils with someone who has COVID-19 or
    • been sneezed on or coughed on by someone who has COVID-19
  • Exposed to someone who is waiting for COVID-19 test results
  • Have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 14 days
  • Are waiting on COVID-19 test results
  • Traveled domestically or internationally within the past 14 days
  • Are experiencing, or have been in contact with anyone experiencing, any of the following symptoms:
    • Fever or chills
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Headache
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Sore throat
    • Congestion or runny nose
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Diarrhea

If any of the above apply to you, we will be happy to help you reschedule your on-campus orientation or register you for one of our virtual orientation experiences.

 
GUEST POLICY

Your orientation guest will be expected to follow the above masking guidelines and precautions. Your guest should remain at home if they meet any of the above COVID screening criteria.